Missouri Credit Union Association - National Hike the Hillhttps://www.mcua.org/taxonomy/term/1460
enMissouri Participates in National Hike the Hillhttps://www.mcua.org/node/1012
<div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>Credit union representatives from Missouri joined hundreds of credit union advocates and small business owners from across the country for National Hike the Hill on November 27-28. The nine <img alt="" src="https://www.mcua.org/sites/default/files//Article Images/HTHSmallBizOwnersTalking-WEB.jpg" style="border-width: 1px; border-style: solid; margin: 10px; width: 300px; height: 226px; float: right;" />representatives made a final in-person grassroots push for the credit union member business lending legislation at Missouri&nbsp;U.S. Senate and House offices.<strong>&nbsp;</strong></p>
<p>Small business owners made a big impact during the legislative meetings, explaining the direct impact S. 2231, the Credit Union Small Business Jobs Act and H.R. 1418, the Small Business Lending Enhancement Act would have on their business and the local community.</p>
<p>Ike Nwabuonwu, Chairman and CEO of Alpha Energy and Electric, shared how Mazuma Credit Union helped his company when banks would not.</p>
<p>"I was told to come back to the banks after we had two years in business.&nbsp; I went back in two years, and the same banks would not give me the loan I needed.&nbsp; Then I walked into Mazuma Credit Union, and today, our company has 25 employees and was just named the U.S. Small Business Administration's (SBA) 2012 Minority Small Business of the Year for the Kansas City district,” explained Nwabuonwu.&nbsp; “Without Mazuma Credit Union, my company would not exist.&nbsp; We would be able to hire another 25 people if Mazuma was not up against the business lending cap.&nbsp; I am here today to ask you to lift this cap, and I guarantee you that unemployment will drop.”<img alt="" src="https://www.mcua.org/sites/default/files//Article Images/HTHReceptionUSSenate-WEB.jpg" style="border-width: 1px; border-style: solid; margin: 10px; width: 400px; height: 300px; float: right;" /></p>
<p>The holiday season is the busiest time of year for the Strawberry Hill Povitica Company, but that didn’t stop company <img alt="" src="https://www.mcua.org/sites/default/files//Article Images/HTHCleaverMeeting-WEB.jpg" style="border-width: 1px; border-style: solid; margin: 10px; width: 300px; height: 231px; float: right;" /><img alt="" src="https://www.mcua.org/sites/default/files//Article Images/HTHBluntStaffGroup-WEB.jpg" style="border-width: 1px; border-style: solid; margin: 10px; width: 400px; height: 199px; float: right;" />Vice President/Executive Director Marc O’Leary from taking his message to members of Congress, too.&nbsp; Strawberry Hill Povitica creates Eastern European desserts that are sold across the state and country.&nbsp; The third-generation family business is seasonal, with a unique process.</p>
<p>“We have to buy ingredients when they are harvested, and then we don’t use them until we make the bulk of our sales between Thanksgiving and Christmas,” explained O’Leary.&nbsp; “Banks didn’t understand our business model and refused to make us the loan we needed.&nbsp; CommunityAmerica Credit Union took the time to visit our location and learn how the business works, and determined that the loan made sense.”</p>
<p>Credit unions participating in the meetings included Anheuser-Busch Employees' Credit Union (St. Louis), CommunityAmerica Credit Union (Kansas City), Mazuma Credit Union (Kansas City) and United Consumers Credit Union&nbsp;(Kansas City).</p>
<p><img alt="" src="https://www.mcua.org/sites/default/files//Article Images/HTHLongGroup-WEB.jpg" style="border-width: 1px; border-style: solid; margin: 10px; width: 350px; height: 263px; float: right;" /><img alt="" src="https://www.mcua.org/sites/default/files//Article Images/HTHCarnahanGroup-WEB.jpg" style="border-width: 1px; border-style: solid; margin: 10px; width: 300px; height: 228px; float: right;" /><img alt="" src="https://www.mcua.org/sites/default/files//Article Images/HTHHartzler-Group-WEB.jpg" style="border-width: 1px; border-style: solid; margin: 10px; width: 300px; height: 234px; float: right;" />H.R. 1418 and S. 2231 would raise the cap on credit union member business lending from 12.25% to 27.5%.&nbsp; If the legislation is not passed before the end of the year, it must be reintroduced in 2013 when the new Congress convenes.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><em>Photo captions, top to bottom:&nbsp; </em><br />
<em>1. Small business owners Ike Nwabuonwu and Marc O'Leary share their concerns with members of Congress during National Hike the Hill.<br />
2. Missouri representatives take part in the opening reception and briefing for National Hike the Hill in Washington, D.C. on November 27.<br />
3.. U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D-District 5) meets Kansas City area business leaders Ike Nwabuonwu and Marc O'Leary.<br />
4.&nbsp; U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt (R) staff member Jamie Hollenberg (center) meets with credit union representatives from Missouri.<br />
5. U.S. Rep. Billy Long (R-District 7) and credit union representatives during National Hike the Hill.<br />
6.U.S. Rep. Vicky Hartzler (R-District 4) meets with the Missouri credit union delegation.<br />
7. U.S. Rep. Russ Carnahan (D-District 3), a cosponsor of the Small Business Lending Enhancement Act, and credit union representatives.</em></p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-vocab-legislation field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Vocab Legislation:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/taxonomy/term/198" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">new</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/taxonomy/term/803" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">S. 2231</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/taxonomy/term/564" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">H.R. 1418</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/taxonomy/term/1571" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Credit Union Small Busienss Jobs Act</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/taxonomy/term/566" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Small Business Lending Enhancement Act</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/taxonomy/term/1460" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">National Hike the Hill</a></div></div></div><span class="a2a_kit a2a_target addtoany_list" id="da2a_1">
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</script>Fri, 30 Nov 2012 22:48:42 +0000Amy McLard1012 at https://www.mcua.orghttps://www.mcua.org/node/1012#commentsBankers Target MBL Again in Senatehttps://www.mcua.org/node/934
<div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>Credit unions are in the final push to pass member business lending legislation in the U.S. Senate and House, and bankers are again targeting U.S. Senate offices to oppose the measure.&nbsp; U.S. Senate bill S. 2231, the Credit Union Small Business Jobs Bill and U.S. House bill H.R. 1418, the Small Business Lending Enhancement Act, would raise the credit union member business lending limit from 12.25% to 27.5% of assets.&nbsp;</p>
<p>The Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) contacted all Senate offices on October 23, stating that Congress should not increase the MBL cap because of 1,003 federal charter credit unions that are now eligible for the Low-Income Credit Union (LICU) designation.&nbsp; The National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) notified these credit unions of their eligibility in August.</p>
<p>The Credit Union National Association responded with information about the member business lending impact of the LICU designation.&nbsp; CUNA stated, in part:</p>
<p><em>The banks would have you believe that NCUA’s recent letter to 1,000 federally-chartered credit unions notifying them that they could be eligible to receive a “low income” designation from the regulator has, in effect, magically relieved Congress of the need to enact legislation permitting the credit unions with the most business lending experience to continue to lend to their small business members.&nbsp; Nothing could be further from the truth:&nbsp; </em></p>
<ul>
<li>
<em>Of the 1,000 credit unions that received the NCUA letter and deemed eligible for the Low Income Credit Union (LICU) designation<strong>, 774 are not offering any business loan products</strong>. </em></li>
<li>
<em>There are 503 credit unions actively affected by the credit union member business lending cap, meaning they are making decisions today about how to manage the cap, and in some cases, they are turning away new and existing business members.</em></li>
<li>
<strong><em>Of the credit unions eligible for LICU status, only 34 are close enough to the cap that accepting this designation could mean much needed near term relief from the business lending cap.&nbsp; </em></strong></li>
<li>
&nbsp;<em>That leaves 469 of 503 credit unions that still need their cap raised.&nbsp; </em></li>
<li>
<em>Recall that CUNA estimates that raising the 12.25% cap to 27.5% would produce a conservatively-estimated first-year increase of $14 billion in loans and 157,000 jobs nationally.&nbsp; Further examination of the 1,000 LICU CUs reveals that these credit unions represent less than 8% of the 157,000 new jobs and less than 8% of the $14 billion in additional lending that we are estimating with a cap increase.</em></li>
<li>
<em>Finally, any credit union that adopts LICU status will find that the MBL cap waiver is not necessarily a solution – that’s because LICU status can change over time:&nbsp; Any credit union that loses LICU status – for example, due to changing demographics in the areas in which they operate - will lose the MBL cap waiver.</em></li>
</ul>
<p>“Credit unions are NEVER going to apologize for trying to serve consumers, especially low-income ones,” says Don Cohenour, Missouri Credit Union Association interim president/CEO.&nbsp; “The MBL bill is still needed for Missouri small business owners who need more – not less – lending options, and to allow the credit unions that stand ready to help them fill that need.” &nbsp;</p>
<h4>
<strong>Take Action</strong></h4>
<p>A call to action is coming soon for credit union contacts to all Missouri U.S. House and Senate offices regarding member business lending to take effect.&nbsp; Please watch Missouri Difference and email notices for more details.</p>
<p>A National Hike the Hill is scheduled for November 27-28 in Washington, D.C.&nbsp;&nbsp; Missouri credit union leaders and small business owners are asked to participate.&nbsp; It is the Tuesday and Wednesday immediately following Thanksgiving.</p>
<p><strong>Schedule of events:</strong><br />
<strong>Tuesday, November 27</strong><br />
Fly in<br />
Hill visits as needed (scheduled by MCUA)<br />
5:30 – 6:15 p.m. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Legislative Briefing – Senate Russell Building, Kennedy Room 325</p>
<p>6:30-8 p.m.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Reception</p>
<p><strong>Wednesday, November 28</strong><br />
8:30 a.m.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Briefing at Credit Union House (if unable to participate in 11/27 briefing)<br />
All Day&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Hill visits (as scheduled by MCUA)<br />
6 p.m. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Debriefing and Reception (if able to attend)<br />
After&nbsp; 4:30 p.m.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Fly home</p>
<p><span style="color: rgb(178, 34, 34);"><strong>RSVPs are needed by November 5 (earlier if possible). </strong></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Please inform MCUA if your credit union will be able to participate in the National Hike the Hill on November 27-28, and if you will be able to include a small business owner in this Hike. &nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>There are several hotel blocks available on a first-come, first-served basis.</strong></p>
<p>Contact <a href="mailto:amclard@mcua.org?subject=National%20Hike%20the%20Hill%20participation">Amy </a><a href="mailto:amclard@mcua.org?subject=National%20Hike%20the%20Hill%20question">McLard</a> via email or 314.542.1370 with your Hike the Hill plans or any questions regarding National Hike the Hill.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-vocab-legislation field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Vocab Legislation:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/taxonomy/term/198" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">new</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/taxonomy/term/1212" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">LICU</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/taxonomy/term/185" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">NCUA</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/taxonomy/term/1460" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">National Hike the Hill</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/taxonomy/term/55" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">member business lending</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/taxonomy/term/54" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">MBL</a></div></div></div><span class="a2a_kit a2a_target addtoany_list" id="da2a_2">
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Thu, 25 Oct 2012 18:31:09 +0000Amy McLard934 at https://www.mcua.orghttps://www.mcua.org/node/934#commentsNational Hike the Hill Focus on MBL: Missouri Attendees Needed November 27-28https://www.mcua.org/node/924
<div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>In Missouri and across the country, credit unions are focusing on the final push&nbsp;to pass&nbsp;member business lending (MBL) legislation. &nbsp;Time is running out and all efforts are needed.&nbsp; If member business lending is not passed by the end of the year, MBL will have to be reintroduced when the new Congress takes&nbsp;office and the process must start all over again.&nbsp;</p>
<p><img alt="" src="https://www.mcua.org/sites/default/files//Article Images/HikeTheHill-logo.jpg" style="margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; float: right; width: 200px; height: 201px; " />Missouri credit union leaders and small business owners are asked to participate in a National Hike the Hill on November 27-28 in Washington, D.C. &nbsp;&nbsp;It is the Tuesday and Wednesday immediately following Thanksgiving. &nbsp; &nbsp;</p>
<p>“We cannot leave a single stone unturned in our effort to win the vote when it comes up,” stated Credit Union National Association President/CEO Bill Cheney in a message to credit unions.&nbsp; “I know it’s another trip (after so many trips this year), but this is our last and best chance to pass the member business lending in this Congress. “</p>
<p>“That means you need to come. Credit union lending officers need to be here too. So, especially, do those who have the best stories to tell: Credit union small business-owning/borrowing members.”</p>
<p>The member business lending bill would raise the credit union member business lending limit from 12.25% to 27.5% of assets.&nbsp; The U.S. Senate bill is S. 2231, the Credit Union Small Business Jobs Bill (formerly S. 509) and the U.S. House bill is H.R. 1418, the Small Business Lending Enhancement Act.</p>
<p>Here is the tentative schedule of events:</p>
<p><strong>Tuesday, November 27</strong><br />
Fly in<br />
Hill visits as needed (scheduled by MCUA)<br />
6 p.m.&nbsp;&nbsp; Legislative Briefing, followed by reception</p>
<p><strong>Wednesday, November 28</strong><br />
All Day - Hill Visits (as scheduled by MCUA)<br />
6 p.m. – Debriefing and Reception (if able to attend)<br />
Fly home</p>
<p><span style="color: rgb(165, 42, 42);"><strong>RSVPs are&nbsp;needed by November 5.&nbsp; </strong></span>Please inform MCUA if your credit union will be able to participate in the National Hike the Hill on November 27-28, and if you will be able to include a small business owner in this Hike.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Contact <a href="mailto:amclard@mcua.org?subject=National%20Hike%20the%20Hill%20participation">Amy </a><a href="mailto:amclard@mcua.org?subject=National%20Hike%20the%20Hill%20question">McLard</a><a href="mailto:amclard@mcua.org?subject=National%20Hike%20the%20Hill%20question"> </a>via email or 314.542.1370 with this information or any questions regarding National Hike the Hill.</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-vocab-legislation field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Vocab Legislation:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/taxonomy/term/198" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">new</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/taxonomy/term/55" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">member business lending</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/taxonomy/term/54" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">MBL</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/taxonomy/term/1460" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">National Hike the Hill</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/taxonomy/term/771" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Washington</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/taxonomy/term/1461" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">D.C.</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/taxonomy/term/126" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Legislative visits</a></div></div></div><span class="a2a_kit a2a_target addtoany_list" id="da2a_3">
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Mon, 22 Oct 2012 19:24:03 +0000Amy McLard924 at https://www.mcua.orghttps://www.mcua.org/node/924#comments